Do you know what the extra teacup is for?

 

I was out for dinner with my hubby and we ordered a pot of Chinese tea for two, and as usual, they supplied three cups; one for each of us, and another one extra. 

Have you ever wondered why?

I remember my late grandmother telling me once not to use the extra cup because it is meant for the "other guest", the spirit at the table. 

I can't be sure if I remembered that correctly. Is that its purpose? 

But we would use the extra cup for ourselves anyway, not for any so-called extra guests. 

I did a search in the Internet but couldn't find anything to confirm that story. 

Does anybody know?

pearlie